Bill Clinton and the Tamil Tigers failed to distract a volunteer group from St Barnabas Church from doing vital aid work for two weeks in tsunami-ravaged Sri Lanka.

The 12-strong team from Woodside Park flew to the east of the country to assist the locals in the village of Batti Chaicalo, where they painted a school, helped to rebuild the playground and constructed some temporary shelters.

Group leader Simon Kirby, 38, said he found the experience interesting and challenging. He said: "It was incredibly bonding the team worked really well together and our faith helped us to deal with what we were seeing every day."

There was an exciting moment when Bill Clinton flew over in a helicopter on his way to a nearby town. Mr Kirby said: "All the children ran into the playground, and we were all waving up to the helicopter."

Speaking of his first impressions on arrival, Mr Kirby said: "There were just lots of children running up to us. They were smiling and laughing, wanting to shake hands with us.

"They were running through the ruins of their village, which was very surreal, and it was very difficult to absorb it all."

The group worked with Samaritan's Purse, an international relief organisation, and were present when the 1,000th shelter, built by the charity, was completed "We were there for the official painting of the number 1,000 which was special," Mr Kirby said.

The massive impact of the tsunami was brought home when they spoke to those affected by it "One of the managers of Samaritan's Purse had never been back to his destroyed home," said Mr Kirby. "I was with him as he went back for the first time and found old possessions. That was a very personal story. As you met more people, you realised everyone had been affected in some way. One man had lost 21 relatives."

The group had to stay alert and aware of the political situation in the area.

Rebel group the Tamil Tigers were in the area and the tension between them and the security forces meant that there was a 10pm curfew, and no one drove after dark.

"We knew the Tigers were present, but the conflict was internal, between the two sides," he said. "There was nothing aggressive towards westerners. Everyone was very welcoming towards us.

"I spoke to a fisherman who had lost his son in the tsunami, and he was saying thank you' to us. It was a very humbling experience."

The group's hard work resulted in some long term benefits for the local people.

Mr Kirby said: "The local school was being used as a refugee camp after the tsunami, with 400 people sleeping there. After we painted it, the teachers and children spring-cleaned it. It was like we helped them to redeem and reclaim the school for the community."

Cat Rose, 20, found the experience immensely rewarding. She said: "There were highs and lows, but it feels like we left the community for the better. I would definitely recommend something like this for others to do."

Fellow group member Stuart, 28, said: "Being there has made me question all the things that I find valuable it really makes you look at your priorities."